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Post by TennisHack on Aug 19, 2003 16:09:23 GMT -5
Do you think the experiences will keep your batteries charged until your next tourney? I'm going to answer this at the very end of my reports for the whole week. I still have to think about it because it's a strange experience.
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Post by TennisHack on Aug 19, 2003 16:11:07 GMT -5
Larri's head is always shaved ;D Then I should say that it was "newly" shaved ;D I mistook him for Agassi the first time I saw him It was from a distance, though, once he got a bit closer I knew it wasn't Agassi.
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Post by RogiFan on Aug 19, 2003 16:13:50 GMT -5
no no she's NOT his GF! she's a tennis player... can't remember who now... I've never seen his GF... this is just what a friend reported... trust me! yeah, Nico is a slut isn't he? but at least he's a doll!!
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Post by TennisHack on Aug 19, 2003 16:14:06 GMT -5
Did you take lots of pic of Schuettler, if so, I'm glad Lapentti didn't practice. ;D ;D I didn't take lots of pics of Rainer in practice but I did take a few. LMAO at the speculation about his girlfriend. She was shorter than him and dark; it appeared she was also South American. She had short brown hair and was stylishly dressed. The girl in the Indian Wells pic is NOT the one I saw. When Federer finally showed up, Mirka was not with him.
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Post by RogiFan on Aug 19, 2003 16:16:28 GMT -5
LMAO, well, if he didn't notice me on Saturday or Sunday, he definitely knew I was there by the end of the week. Now that I'm not in that environment again I don't think it was me who was causing his bad day, but I was so self-conscious around all those beautiful people that it's hard to not turn it in on yourself. I wonder if Rogi or PL noticed me... I'm always filming Rogi or taking pix... this is the 2nd time too... TO and Montreal and I'm always where Rogi is if I can help it!! Tommy R definitely looks at me... and I've seen him in TO, Madrid and Montreal now... eek!
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Post by Lee on Aug 19, 2003 16:16:29 GMT -5
This one is from 2001 but fits the profile! And yes, at that time, she's Mr. Lapentti's 'friend'.
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Post by Lee on Aug 19, 2003 16:18:04 GMT -5
It seems Lapentti is not that 'slut' because if Hackie and RogiFan are right, he has the same South American model gf for at least more than a year.
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Post by TennisHack on Aug 19, 2003 16:18:07 GMT -5
Love the setup of the place, Hackie... v interesting! You had parking passes for the week? That's what I need in TO... think you have to buy then entire week's tix to get it... I better investigate NOW! Yes, ticket holders had a parking lot and an entrance. I think it was just a way to control the crowd. Yes, you do have to buy an entire ticket series package to get the parking passes. Interesting, no such task in Cincy! No extra security beyond coach and practice partner. The players walked around quite freely among the crowd. This doesn't mean I was able to get to them easily because they attracted such large crowds of adoring fans.
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Post by TennisHack on Aug 19, 2003 16:19:42 GMT -5
During the digging process, come across the hitting partner of Schuettler, Nenad Zimonjic. I actually have some pictures of Zimonjic because he played doubles with Ferrero. But he still looks like that, only with a deeper tan
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Post by TennisHack on Aug 19, 2003 16:20:43 GMT -5
It seems Lapentti is not that 'slut' because if Hackie and RogiFan are right, he has the same South American model gf for at least more than a year. Actually, that's not the girl I saw unless she has a dramatically different haircut now.
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Post by ILR on Aug 19, 2003 16:21:48 GMT -5
It seems Lapentti is not that 'slut' because if Hackie and RogiFan are right, he has the same South American model gf for at least more than a year. Maybe Im just wishing then Well I dont know who she is but we will find out!
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Post by RogiFan on Aug 19, 2003 16:22:06 GMT -5
It seems Lapentti is not that 'slut' because if Hackie and RogiFan are right, he has the same South American model gf for at least more than a year. Nico's officially NOT a slut then! Hackie... the security at times was a bit much but only for Rogi and Juanqui really... and maybe Pandy... who knows about :ass: -- he's never where the "other" players are... too full of himself to be on the same planet...
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Post by ILR on Aug 19, 2003 16:23:25 GMT -5
Actually, that's not the girl I saw unless she has a dramatically different haircut now. oh well, lets just assume he has a new found "friend"
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Post by Layla on Aug 19, 2003 17:27:39 GMT -5
I was sort of surprised to see Rainer already. When he walked on court, Mardy Fish jumped on his back, proclaiming, "Now you're all wet! I'm going to get you all wet everytime you make the semis of a Masters Series!" to which Rainer replied, "I'll lose in the quarters next time" ;D Fish had just finished practicing with Ancic which is why he was so wet. Are you kidding about this, or is Fish psychic? Why would he say that? Anyway, this just gets better and better, highly entertaining. ;D It makes me feel like I was there. @ Corretja trying to be the center of attention and Juanqui chatting with Moya! I'm so glad you got your picture taken with Jarkko. I think he was sweet to wait until the pic came out. I know how rushed players can be. I know what you mean about the approachability of the players. I was around them the whole week, at really close distance (there were usually only a handful of people watching practices), walking past them, standing next to them, but I never knew what I could possibly say to them. I even felt like I was intruding if I held my camera in plain sight. Kudos to you for asking Jarkko to take a picture with you.
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Post by TennisHack on Aug 19, 2003 17:34:17 GMT -5
No, he isn't psychic. Schuettler lost in the semis in Cincy I guess Schuettler and Fish are friends, they certainly acted like it. I have a pic of Fish jumping on Schuettler's back as he said that. Rainer seems to be one of those players who gets along with everyone It was so nerve-wracking, but I wanted to make sure I didn't have any regrets. I was hoping he'd respond when I called his name, but he didn't, so I had to run after him, but at least I got right up to him and asked, something I wouldn't have done if it had been anyone else. Saying something about how much I've admired him over the past year and a half or how much I have enjoyed the rise of his fellow Finns -- it just seemed so out of place. It's like, there's a middle ground between TENNIS PLAYER and real, regular person. Plus, Jarkko was so quiet unless he was talking to his coach or Srichaphan. And I must say, I highly enjoyed being right up against him for about a minute ;D
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Post by Lee on Aug 19, 2003 17:39:05 GMT -5
Actually, that's not the girl I saw unless she has a dramatically different haircut now. That pic was taken in early 2001 and I think Nico start with the model gf in 2002. So, she probably not the one. I have a pic of him with her (her name is Daniela) when she visited him in Ecuador and he picked her up from airport last year (I think).
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Post by Layla on Aug 19, 2003 17:42:59 GMT -5
No, he isn't psychic. Schuettler lost in the semis in Cincy Yes, but he said he would make him wet if he reaches the semis, and he did.
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Post by TennisHack on Aug 19, 2003 17:50:11 GMT -5
Yes, but he said he would make him wet if he reaches the semis, and he did. His words were more like, "Everytime you make the semis of a Masters Series, I'll make you wet ;D"
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Post by Layla on Aug 19, 2003 17:52:56 GMT -5
His words were more like, "Everytime you make the semis of a Masters Series, I'll make you wet ;D" I know, I know, I just thought it was eerily prophetic. I bet he had no idea he would be in the semis with him though.
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Post by TennisHack on Aug 19, 2003 17:58:51 GMT -5
Probably not. Too bad he was there, as you'll see in my reports
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Post by TennisHack on Aug 19, 2003 20:46:59 GMT -5
Monday, 8/11: Kid's Day
PRACTICE COURT SESSIONS
9 am Court 6: Arthurs/Hanley Court 7: Kiefer/Hueberger Court 9: Sanguinetti/Popp Court 10: Vacek/Ancic
9:30 am Grandstand: Schalken & 3 others Court 5: Lee Court 7: Costa/Corretja
10 am Center: Moya/Vicente Grandstand: Robredo/Mantilla/Rusedski/Ancic Court 4: Rodriguez/Etlis Court 5: Saretta/Kunitsyn Court 6: Amritraj/Sargsian Court 9: Nieminen/Srichaphan
11 am Court 5: Vicente/Koubek Court 6: Blake/Ancic Court 9: Novak/Stepanek
11:30 am Court 10: Okun/Levy/Ferreira
12 noon Court 5: Coria/Acasuso Court 6: Calleri/Verkerk Court 7: Clement/Grosjean Court 8: Lopez/Verdasco Court 9: Fish/Malisse Court 10: Gambill/Spadea
1 pm Court 5: Ferrero/Zimonjic Court 7: Ginepri/Vahaly/Henman Court 8: Youzhny/Gonzalez Court 9: Chang/Llodra Court 10: Kendrick/Frutarro/Ram
2 pm Court 5: Arthurs/Hanley Court 6: Amritraj/Luczak Court 7: Eagle/Palmer Court 8: Moodie Court 10: Kuerten/Kafelnikov
2:30 pm Court 9: Cibulec/Vizner
3 pm Court 5: Costa/Corretja Court 6: Knowles/Nestor Court 7: Saretta Court 8: Koenig/Adams Court 9: Bryan/Bryan Court 10: Cermak/Friedl
4 pm Court 5: Zabaleta/Vacek Court 6: Knowles/Nestor/Bryan/Bryan Court 7: Bjorkman/Woodbridge Court 8: Todd Martin Court 9: Spadea/Federer Court 10: Roddick
5 pm Court 5: Calleri Court 6: Ram/Ancic Court 7: Vicente Court 8: Etlis/Rodriguez Court 9: Popp/Hueberger Court 10: Sanguinetti/Kunitsyn
6 pm Court 3: Nalbandian Court 4: Black/Ullyett Court 5: Hanescu/Vacek Court 6: Draper/Luczak Court 7: Eagle/Palmer Court 8: Moodie Court 9: Suk/Damm Court 10: Ljubicic
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Post by TennisHack on Aug 19, 2003 20:58:37 GMT -5
After a slight parking fiasco, we worm our way through the crowd to the big board. After checking the practice times, we go to Court 9 for Nieminen/Srichaphan. It's packed! Quite surprised, most practices aren't this packed, or weren't before. Roddick and Federer are practicing at the same time this afternoon so there's no way we will be able to get back here. Nieminen/SrichaphanSuddenly, Jarkko's a bit modest no shirtless play. Tons of kids running around to block my view as well We arrive as they start practicing serves (about halfway through). Sricha's having a few problems with his and it appears Jarkko is working on his topspin kick serve. They play a few shots on the last serve of each player, and Jarkko's looking a bit more comfortable coming into net. He was lobbed and ran back to hit the between the legs shot (a favorite of the players, it seems) Paradorn signs as Jarkko hits a few more groundies with his coach. The kids move out of my way for the most part, all swarming to Paradorn for autographs. The kids rush Jarkko as he walks off court, but he wants to do the jump rope for a few minutes. He watches Novak & Stepanek start. Novak was checking his phone messages as he stretched Jarkko was rushed at the gate and he signed and took pictures with everyone who asked, while his coach looks on, bemused. He signs "Jarkko" quite legibly, and he took pictures with all the little kids, it was cute Of course I took pictures of that, too, LOL His coach left before him, but he went off soon after. The courts cleared for the Czechs, though, as play begins on the main courts. I move over to the walkway to see James and Mario, and its swamped. These pictures won't be too great, for sure. I'll have to go to Court 4 early to get behind the players' seats for doubles. We move from Blake's practice to Kucera/Chela to get seats for doubles. con'd
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Post by TennisHack on Aug 19, 2003 21:10:08 GMT -5
Note: for match reports, I pretty much made notes during the changeovers between games and sets. (1R) Chela vs KuceraChela got a break in the opening service game, but Kucera started making inroads on Chela's serve soon thereafter. Kucera quickly gets down again on his own serve and double faults to give 3 break points. This could be over in a hurry! Chela breaks Kucera on the second break point and suddenly it's 4-1 Chela. 6-1 Chela, first set: Kucera holds serve only once, and with the way he's playing I can only wonder how in the world Ferrero lost to him. He doesn't hit very hard on the serve or groundies, and its not as if he's a terrific mover . . . He must not be having a good day, or be on a "good" court. Second set. Kucera gets a break point in the opening game thanks to some brain cramps from Chela but it is saved for a good serve. It appears Kucera's "great return" is off here, or that Chela has too much power. Methinks the courts are playing quickly here. Kucera changes tactics in his opening serve game and comes into net. He defends his territory well and wins the game. Apparently, it was a one game strategy as he is immediately broken at 15 on his next game. He only tried to come in once, and that was with a volley approach shot from behind the service line, which of course went out Kucera loses serve again thanks to some very passive play. He especially keeps hitting slice backhands and when he does go into net, he looks completely lost. Final result: (1R) Chela d. Kucera 6-1, 6-1How in the world did this guy beat Ferrero? Unless I witnessed a total tank, Kucera must have had the week of his life in Montreal . . . Both guys signed autographs, then Kucera immediately left to make a phone call. When I looked on the schedule to see when my boys were playing, I didn't even notice Nieminen/Srichaphan were playing Costa/Corretja. This should be a good match, hopefully both teams will play well. Unfortunately, I'm sitting right where the players enter & exit, so hopefully I won't get a funny look when Jarkko enters. Damn, I wanted to see Moya vs Santoro but in my haste I also didn't realize they were playing and I missed them! Shit! Guess I'll have to catch Fabrice in doubles. I need to play my day better next time We can hear cheers from Lapentti/Ljubicic on Court 3, as wel as Center Court. Corretja/Costa walk in to much applause, then Jarkko swats a bee from Paradorn's back thanks to the crowd's attention There's quite a nice crowd out, considering it's doubles. They must be having a ball there on Center Court, we can hear the cheering from here! con'd
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Post by TennisHack on Aug 19, 2003 22:11:11 GMT -5
(1R) Nieminen/Srichaphan vs Costa/CorretjaNever you fear, I saw my golden opportunity and took some lovely pics of all players. I was sitting closer to Costa/Corretja so got a few particularly nice shots of them N/S immediately break Corretja's serve at love. Both Jarkko & Sricha have beautiful backhand returns. Costa/Corretja break Sricha's serve with some wonderful returns and offense. Jarkko put that practce to good work but missed the volley on break point. Costa held his serve much easier than his compatriot, and it's obvious why Costa/Corretja are such a good team, they work very well together. Sricha is the weaker link on the other team. Jarkko holds his serve and N/S break Corretja again with some fabulous play. Both Jarkko & Sricha has astounding backhands down the line Sricha is definitely not comfortable volleying, especially the low volleys. But, thanks to some excellent volleying by Jarkko, they hold for 4-2. A Thai fan stood up immediately afterwards with his flag and shouted happily. The same guy with the Thai flag held up a Spanish one after Costa held comforably. He definitely adds some color to this match <-- my introduction to Flag Man Jarkko double faulted from the ad side twice and went down an ad before coming up with some spectacular stuff to win the game -- he and Sricha both. The guy with the flags held up the Swedish flag instead of the Finnish one, though, too funny! Flag Man held up a NJ Devils banner during the set change, but there were so many people moving around in front of me that I couldn't get a picture of it. ------------------------------- Corretja finally holds serve in the second set, to love. He has been directing his serves to Sricha's worse side and it worked. Sricha was broken at love to give the Spaniards the 3-1 lead. They have most of the crowd's support. After a very long deuce game, Jarkko loses his serve. Corretja then holds to even the match, as Costa/Corretja take the second set 6-1. ----------------------------- Sricha immediately loses his serve to open the third set. Corretja holds then Jarkko loses serve thanks to some dumb volleys from Sricha Jarkko's frustrated as well, hitting his second serve ball into the back court with some force. Sricha finally holds and finally finds his first serve, but N/S still down a break in the third. Jarkko appears to have maybe tweaked his left wrist on an awkward volley. Jarkko holds to love, ends the game with an ace It is imperative they break in the next game to stay in this thing. Sricha needs some MAJOR work on his volleys They break! for 4-all. Then Sricha tries to give it back, going down 0-40. He comes back with 3 great serves, then finally wins the game to go up 5-4 in the third. Corretja and Jarkko hold serve, leaving this match very tight. N/S lead 6-5 now, and I smell a tiebreaker unless they hit some amazing shots. Apparently Costa and Corretja are being warned about being coached The umpire just spoke to them during the changeover . . . And tiebreak it is! Paradorn loses his first serve, but N/S get the break back. Jarkko hits 2 tremendous serves to put them up 4-2 in the tiebreak. Tight points and suddenly it's 6-4 Costa/Corretja, Jarkko to return. He hits a tremendous return and he and Sricha keep themselves in the point and win it! It's Jarkko to serve again. He hits a fault, then follows it up with 2 big serves to grab the lead, 7-6. Corretja to serve. He had been the weaker of the 2 on serve the whole match, and here he hits a fault, followed by a good serve, but Paradorn's return hits the net and lands in!! WHAT A MATCH!!!! The Flag Man tries to call out to Jarkko about messing up the flags but Jarkko doesn't pay any attention to him. I scream, "He's Finnish, not Swedish!" and a guy below me (I stood on the stand to take pictures) looks back and said, "I thought that was the wrong flag! The Finnish flag is white and blue, right?" Jarkko had turned around to sign autographs for the kids that surrounded him, so I wonder if he heard me. It was such a good feeling nonetheless to cheer him to victory. I worked up enough courage to shout out by the last few games, and I pumped my fist and screamed, "YEAH!" when the point wen their way Don't get me wrong, Alex and Albert were great, but this has become my "Jarkko week" and I had to cheer him all the way Lots of pics (1R) Nieminen/Srichaphan d. Costa/Corretja 6-4, 1-6, 7-6(6)con'd
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Post by TennisHack on Aug 19, 2003 22:22:08 GMT -5
The players' entrance is mobbed now, you can't tell who's coming in or going out unless you get very close. It's like a sea of people parted in the middle. Tons of kids asking for autographs (1R) Verkerk vs OkunMove to Court 3 for Ferrero/Potato/Scud doubles, but arrive in the second set of Tha Face vs Okun. Okun is making a comeback in the second and this looks like it's going 3. There is a very obnoxious fan on the other side of the court. Verkerk went over and told him to shut up after losing his serve this set. The obnoxious guy is quiet for a few games but gets louder and louder as Okun serves for the second set. You can't help but cheer for Face because of that idiot. He's playing pretty brainlessly right now, just hitting everything hard. He's pissed off and is getting out his frustration through his groundies . . . and it doesn't work. He only holds once in the third set. All credit to Okun for making Verkerk work, but it was obvious Face was angry that the chair didn't say anything to the fan. This guy was very loud, and it was only made worse by the fact that he was the only one cheering for Okun beyond politeness. Plus, everytime Okun would come to that side, he's shout out at him in Hebrew I was really surprised the chair didn't say anything to him. (1R) Okun d. Verkerk 3-6, 6-3, 6-1
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Post by TennisHack on Aug 19, 2003 22:34:40 GMT -5
(1R) Ferrero/Zimonjic vs Hewitt/PhilippoussisNot many fans left after Verkerk, so I got stuck 4 rows up. The pics will be far away, but good since I'm on a baseline. Potato & Scud were late on court, so they hurried down. Right now Scud is the star of the show and he's beating Juan Carlos senseless at net. It's quite obvious doubles is not Ferrero's strong suit; he is the weakest player out there by far. Potato is also surprisingly the weaker link on his team; Scud of course is quite good serving and at the net. A curious thing about the Spaniards I've seen; they all stand back on the first serve, then come in on the second. N/S and H/P have the more traditional doubles stance. Jarkko & Paradorn assumed the more traditional stance and it worked for them. Will be interesting to see how it works for Scud & Potato. Just heard Zhenya isn't playing well and he and Guga have lost the first set It's standing room only now They really packed it in! Ferrero's serve was the first broken, and its enough for the first set. Zimonjic is definitely the leader of that team. Ferrero's been hitting mostly groundies but he has hit some nice volleys -- though he's bungled more than he's made. By the make of the shoes, it appears Zimonjic was Schuettler's practice partner yesterday. Interesting the mysteries solved Antonio Martinez is here, I'm a bit surprised I saw the hitting partner before but am surprised to see his coach. Guess he's looking for things to work on. There is a different feel to this match than the other doubles. This is more relaxed. It appears the players are showing off a bit, playing up to the crowd, having fun with it. Ferrero hit some cute stop volleys in that game; Scud has hit some behind the back shots (and made them!). He groaned "Oh God!" when he sent hte ball right to Juanqui at the net to lose the last game. Hewitt catches fault serves and gives them to the ball kids. It's just a different feel. The points are also much shorter. Costa/Corretja & Nieminen/Srichaphan were there to win, they meant business. The match was much more serious, whereas this one was more like a practice session. Ferrero went down two break points in the 3-all game and cursed himself in Spanish, but both he and Zimonjic did some lovely work to save them. Ferrero has been serving pretty well despite being broken once. He appears to be enjoying himself out there, having fun poaching and serve-volleying. Scud-Potato start taking the nontraditional stance in the second set . . . Scud is totally the star of the show here. He appears to be very popular. But, it's a nice preview to all of the single players' matches tomorrow (aye, how WRONG WRONG WRONG I was on that count! ). Ferrero double faulted twice in a row on the ad side (sun?) to lose serve for the second time. The "Aussie Aussie Aussie/Oy Oy Oy" cheer broke out at 6-5 in the second Hewitt/Philippoussis win 6-3, 7-5. All 3 signed autographs (nobody cared about Zimonjic ) but got off the court as quickly as possible. (1R) Hewitt/Philippoussis d. Ferrero/Zimonjic 6-3, 7-5con'd
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Post by TennisHack on Aug 19, 2003 22:52:17 GMT -5
As I was coming to the Grandstand, I saw Face leaving. Can't help but feel sorry for him (1R) Henman vs CoriaRan over to Grandstand (you know, as fast as one can run from a packed out stadium) to see Henman-Coria. Joined the match at 6-3, 2-1 Coria. I sat 3 rows up behind the baseline. I see Coria has recovered from his 3-week clay spree. He really does run down everything Since I've been here, Henman has played his game, just not well. He finally turned it on to get three break points in the 4-3 game and Coria double faults it away. Coria and Henman have their share of obnoxious fans, though Coria sees to have caught the eye of some particularly loud high school boys. Norm Chryst in the chair chastises flast photography. Me have no flash, hahaha! but some guy on the sideline was snapping away. I took some pictures of Henman for Layla The shot Coria questioned in the 4-5 was GOOD, let no one fool you. It headed right for me and hit the line perfectly. Am I Tim's good-luck charm? He was losing til I got here, haha. Let's see how the third set goes. Coria threw his racquet when he lost hte second set, at the chair as if in protest. How mature I am sitting in a big group of Tim supporters. It's nice after being surrunded by people who love Scud and restless, young children. When Henman is playing well, he's very elegant, graceful. His backhand is just amazing in person and his movement is also quite nice. He looks so elegant moving around out there (BTW, the photo spread of him in Deuce is to die for ) At 3-4, Chryst overruled the last point and not only Henman questioned it, but the whole crowd booed very loudly. Coria questioned the next call and believe me, he's not winning himself any fans in this corner. That (bad) call by the chair in Coria's game completely broke Henman's concentration and he was broken. I'm sure Coria will skip off course happy as a clam now. I really don't like that guy That's what I don't like about Coria, his hypocritical attitude. If it's him doing the questioning, the world has fallen down around him and he's the martyr. If its his opponent, no way can he be wrong and even if he is, no way would he admit it. There's just something really smarmy about him that turns me off. (1R) Coria d. Henman 6-3, 4-6, 6-4End of Day 3.
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Post by The Chloe on Aug 19, 2003 23:24:25 GMT -5
I wonder if Rogi or PL noticed me... I'm always filming Rogi or taking pix... this is the 2nd time too... TO and Montreal and I'm always where Rogi is if I can help it!! Tommy R definitely looks at me... and I've seen him in TO, Madrid and Montreal now... eek! Tommy I watched a couple of his practices in Montreal, and lost a lot of film in the process
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Post by The Chloe on Aug 19, 2003 23:25:25 GMT -5
Wow... that's so dorky! Mardy has gone up a notch if he actually did that
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Post by The Chloe on Aug 19, 2003 23:49:08 GMT -5
LIkely because he looks like them Perhaps you had a better look at it then he did
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